CLARITY -- GUADALUPE RIVER, TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

… LIKE THE ROAR OF RUSHING WATERS … SHOUTING: HALLELUJAH! … REV 19:6

Consisting of two foreground trees, random stones and the unmistakable voice of rushing water, it seems to me that another element, light is just as important visually. For it is the clarity of the light that, though intangible, defines the three-dimensionality of the forms. It is the sense of balance in the sparse arrangement, harmony in the surfaces, and openness in this particular composition that attracted me to this scene.

Oil on Canvas, 2016

36”x 36”

available: Gruene Mansion Gallery, Gruene, TX

TREES/WATER/SUNSHINE-- GUADALUPE RIVER, TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

… AT THE BANK OF THE RIVER WERE VERY MANY TREES ON THE ONE SIDE AND ON THE OTHER … EZEKIEL 47:7

The textures and forms in these trees fascinate me. The sculptural folds and swellings in the trunks and branches seem almost anatomical in nature. I placed the trees in the immediate foreground, a somewhat unconventional approach, as it is the surface and textures in the trees that I wanted to emphasize. Additionally, the presence of warm light, sunshine and water all seem to work in perfect harmony as they exist together both symbiotically and visually.

Oil on Canvas, 2016

30”x 60”

available: Gruene Mansion Gallery, Gruene, TX

8. DIVIDED RIVER/MORNING LIGHT-- GUADALUPE RIVER, TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

… A GOOD LAND—A LAND WITH BROOKS, STREAMS, AND DEEP SPRINGS … DEUT 8:7

The Guadalupe at times breaks up into many fingers of water, isolating exquisite islands of various shapes and sizes, oases of plants, trees and stone. I liked the seductive warmth of the early sunrise as it baths the distant trees in warm light that contrasts well with the steel grays of the foreground trees.

Oil on Canvas, 2016

24”x 30”

available: Gruene Mansion Gallery, Gruene, TX

DOWNSTREAM-- GUADALUPE RIVER, TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

… at the bank of the river were very many trees… Ezekiel 47:7

I love the twisting almost muscular forms of the foreground roots as they wind over and under both rock and water. As the blue river moves purposely downstream, fresh waters from springs or higher places upstream create countless small waterfalls. I so love the deep sad sound of falling water, especially when it’s a gentle as a summer rain.

Oil on Canvas, 2016

24”x24”

available: Gruene Mansion Gallery, Gruene, TX

RIVERBANK-- GUADALUPE RIVER, TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

… then he led me back to the bank of the river… Ezekiel 47:6

This composition is highly cropped and closely focused upon the few square yards beneath our feet. As one moves in carefully measured steps along the riverbank it demands great attention to avoid a trip or sprain. At such times we often forget the beauty that is so near underfoot. For the riverbank is a treasure trove of wonderful shapes and forms. There are contorted roots, broken twigs, decaying leaves leaves and curiously shaped stones. And there are the glassy jade-like hues of the sparkling waters that provide rare and precious glimpses of a mysterious unseen world.

Oil on Canvas, 2016

24”x36”

available: Gruene Mansion Gallery, Gruene, TX

RIVER CROSSING-- GUADALUPE RIVER, TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

…and a river went out of Eden … Gen 2:10

This view from the bridge below Gruene captures the clarity of midmorning light and crispness of the early spring air.

Oil on Canvas, 2016

24”x30”

available: Gruene Mansion Gallery, Gruene, TX

RIVER VISTA-- GUADALUPE RIVER, TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

… a river, the streams whereof shall make glad … Psalm 46:4

As the early light rakes low across the water, trees and stones, every texture is revealed. The water sparkles as it meanders around scarred trees, evidence of past floods and strong currents. But this morning the river splashes and falls in swift but gentle currents, creating a low murmur like the sound of wind blowing through trees in full leaf. It is a magical world.

Oil on Canvas, 2016

36”x36”

available: Gruene Mansion Gallery, Gruene, TX

ROCK SHELF/WATER (CRAG) -- GUADALUPE RIVER, TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

… He brought streams out of a rocky crag … Psalm 78:16

The flatness of the rock shelf reminds me of the soaring cliffs that drop abruptly from the level green grasslands of the West Irish Coastline. This composition may be divided into three horizontal rectangles of similar size: suggesting life, earth and sea.

Oil on Canvas, 2016

20”x24”

available: Gruene Mansion Gallery, Gruene, TX

ROCK, TIME & WATER-- GUADALUPE RIVER, TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

… He cutteth out rivers among the rocks … Job 28:10

This rough “worm-eaten” stone complements the sparkle and brilliance of the gently rippling water that flows around it. This interplay of light, color and texture drew me to this image.

Oil on Canvas, 2016

18”x24”

available: Gruene Mansion Gallery, Gruene, TX

ROOTS/LIGHT/REFLECTION-- GUADALUPE RIVER, TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

… and that spreadeth out her roots by the river … Jeremiah 17:8

This painting is about light and darkness, the hidden and the revealed. I chose to not show the branches that form my concept of “treeness” but to focus on what is almost always hidden, and certainly most important, the foundation of the tree. This entangled mass of exposed roots support and nourish the tree above and reminds me of how much that is truly important, and sometimes most beautiful, is often hidden beneath the surface, whether we are talking of trees or people.

Oil on Canvas, 2016

30”x 40”

available: Gruene Mansion Gallery, Gruene, TX

SUNSHINE/REFLECTION-- GUADALUPE RIVER, TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

… a pure river of the water of life, clear as crystal, … Rev 22:1

The blue sky above is only hinted at in the gently broken reflections---“now we but see through a glass, darkly”. In this tranquil scene the sunlight is as strong an element as the water stone, and woodsy trees.

Oil on Canvas, 2016

18”x 24”

available: Gruene Mansion Gallery, Gruene, TX

THORNY LIGHT-- GUADALUPE RIVER, TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

… he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow… Psalm 147:18

The rising sun punctuates and starkly delineates every thorny contour of these twisted survivors of storm and flood. This light does not romanticize these tree forms but it does reveal and occasionally, such as in this moment, it reveals exquisite beauty that is harder to define than to simply feel.

Oil on Canvas, 2016

20”x 24”

available: Gruene Mansion Gallery, Gruene, TX

TREE/WATER -- GUADALUPE RIVER, TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

… with its spreading boughs, for its roots went down to abundant waters…Ezekiel 31:7

The gnarly, intertwined roots provide a strong foundation for this aged cypress. The strong currents and rushing waters surround it completely yet it stands firm, strong and beautiful, a testament to the lineage of its kind.

Oil on Canvas, 2016

20”x 24”

available: Gruene Mansion Gallery, Gruene, TX

MORNING COMETH-- GUADALUPE RIVER, TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

… weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning..… Psalm 30:5

With the early morning light just breaking through, I couldn’t help but notice how the silhouetted trees in the foreground seemed transformed. Though dark, skeletal and shattered, they were suddenly surrounded by the shimmering sparkle of liquid diamonds. The sun brought hope, warmth and promise to that scene as it does each day to a broken world. Life is full of such unexpected blessings and experiences.

Oil on Canvas, 2016

24”x 24”

available: Gruene Mansion Gallery, Gruene, TX

WATER & YOUTH (NO SWINGS) -- GUADALUPE RIVER, TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

… He leads me beside quiet waters… Psalm 23:2

There is such stillness, such serenity in this image. The deep waters are quiet and undisturbed as they almost flawlessly mirror the trees and stone ledges of the opposite bank. This formal and ordered composition of horizontals and rectangles is chosen to reemphasize the peacefulness of the scene. The sign tacked to the cypress reads “No Swings”, a gentle irony and a reminder that this quiet moment and life is fleeting and has in the past been disrupted by excited screams, soaring bodies and loud splashes. And despite the post, and the inherent danger, I expect and hope it will soon occur again.

Oil on Canvas, 2016

24”x 24”

available: Gruene Mansion Gallery, Gruene, TX

WATER/TWO TREES-- GUADALUPE RIVER, TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

… its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging… Psalm 46:3

Like two muscular sentries, sporting evidence of scars and injury from past battles, they stand guarding the swift current of waters that flows between them. These two aged cypress trees exist and thrive in a landscape of crystal clear waters that completely surround them. It seems alien, unnatural and mysterious but is so beautiful.

Oil on Canvas, 2016

30”x 40”

SOLD

WATERS GENTLY DROPPING-- GUADALUPE RIVER, TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

… peace … like a river, … Isaiah 66:12

The river is so stimulating, always changing, always moving, I find it is comforting to discover the simple beauty in the gentle fall of clear water across a shallow shelf of rock. No manmade water feature could be more perfectly designed. Nature, God’s handiwork is indeed in the details.

Oil on Canvas, 2016

20”x 20”

available: Gruene Mansion Gallery, Gruene, TX

WATERS RUSHING-- GUADALUPE RIVER, TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

… pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you… Isaiah 43:2

Much of this scene is water: threatening, agitated and unsettled in character. However when the sunlight is occasionally captured in the waves, its sparkling clarity is apparent. Rushing past trees that are scarred and broken, this churning dichotomy of power and beauty is there but a moment as it quickly splashes downstream.

Oil on Canvas, 2016

24”x 36”

SOLD

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CLARITY -- GUADALUPE RIVER, TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

… LIKE THE ROAR OF RUSHING WATERS … SHOUTING: HALLELUJAH! … REV 19:6

Consisting of two foreground trees, random stones and the unmistakable voice of rushing water, it seems to me that another element, light is just as important visually. For it is the clarity of the light that, though intangible, defines the three-dimensionality of the forms. It is the sense of balance in the sparse arrangement, harmony in the surfaces, and openness in this particular composition that attracted me to this scene.